Abstract: Two series of transplantation-experiments were designed to investigate the applicability of the lichen Ramalin amacifonnisas a biomonitor of air pollution in the Negev Desert, Israel. Thalli of R. macifonnis from the unpolluted Tellalim site were collected in August 1997 and May 1999 and transferred to biomonitoring sites in and around the industrial area of Ramat Hovav. The first batch of lichens was exposed in 24 sites and retrieved in August 1998. The second, exposed in 10 sites in and around Ramat Hovav, was retrieved in November 3999. In the toxic-waste site the lichens accumulated hieh levels of Pb. In different indus- trial sites the lichens exhibited a low K-content, high concentrations of stress-ethylene and disintegrated cell-membranes indicated by high values of electric conductivity of leachates of the lichens. The continuous transplantation of R. macifonnis as a biomonitor of airborne chemical elements in the Negev Desert, in cross reference with measurements of the effect of those air pollutants on the vitality of the lichen was recommended, based on meaningful data obtained in the above-mentioned study. Assessments of the vitality of thalli of macifonnis should preferably be made by measurements of alterations in the production of ethylene and in the integrity of cell membranes in lichens exposed to different chemicals under controlled conditions